| Developing
Better Accuracy |
To
be a consistent bowler you must have perfect accuracy. The biggest
factor is the position of the shoulders and your non sliding foot or
balance foot. It is essential to keep your shoulders aligned with your
target line in the stance, throughout the approach, and during the
release and follow through. The following are the most common problems
resulting inaccuracy.
|
| Open and Closed
Shoulders |
The
shoulders can either be open, straight, or closed in relation to the
lane. Open is when they are turned away from the center pin. Straight is when they are aligned with the foul line. Closed is when they
are turned from the center pin. As stated before: For the best
accuracy the shoulders must be straight in relation to the target line.
- Open Shoulders = Ball Out. The ball will miss to the right
for Right Handed Bowlers, for left handers it will miss to the left.
- Closed Shoulders = Ball In. The ball will miss to the left
for Right Handed Bowlers, for left handers it will miss to the
right.
Improper timing usually causes the problem of the opening or closing of
the shoulders. This usually begins with the first step of the approach.
If you move your hand and foot as one during the first step, you
shouldn't have this problem. Its important to realize: A perfect
start equals a perfect finish.
To solve this problem: try lowering or raising the ball in the stance,
if you are having problems timing your arm swing to meet your feet
movements.
- If your arm swing is faster than your feet movements, you should
raise the ball to chest level in the stance.
- If your arm swing is slower than your feet movements, you should
lower the ball to waist level in the stance.
|
| Shoulder Rocking |
Another
problem that hampers bowler's accuracy is the rocking the shoulders back
and forth during the approach. This results in erratic ball behavior and
inaccuracy.
The cure for rocking is simple: Keep your spine tilted in the same angle
as in the stance. It is important to keep everything aligned throughout
the entire approach. It may help to imagine balancing a glass of water
on your shoulders, and that you cannot spill a drop during your approach
and delivery.
|
| Drifting |
The
last problem that can impede a bowler's accuracy is the drifting either
left or right during the approach. This results in inaccuracy.
To determine if your drifting, note which boards you begin your stance
(you should beware of this anyway), proceed with your approach, and
after the shot, check which boards you are on. If you ended up over 3
boards to the right or left of where you lined up in the stance you are
drifting.
The alignment dots that you use to line up with in your stance are in
line with the reference dots beside the foul line. Thus, if you lined up
with the center alignment dot, you should be in line with the center
reference dot near the foul line.
As with an inaccurate arm swing, drifting is usually caused by improper
timing. If the arm swing is not properly timed with the footsteps, the
body will not be balanced properly. This can result in the body drifting
right or left.
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